Frederick Lucien (Luke) Briggs

Born in Hamilton, Ont. on April 26, 1918 and predeceased by Patricia, his wife of 60 years, Luke died August 20, 2003, after a short illness. Survived by sister Vivienne (George), Westbank, B.C.; children Richard, Maple Ridge, B.C.; Susan (Robert) Vancouver, B.C.; David, San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren Danielle, Greer and Nathan; nephews Brian, Kingston, Ont.; and Gordon, Bermuda; niece Jan, Burnaby, B.C.; and many long-time friends in Maple Ridge, Hope and the Cariboo. Luke lived a long and productive life. As a child, his family moved from Ontario to Sea Island, to Marpole (Vancouver) and to Albion; life in BC shaped Luke’s personal, political and professional lives. He worked hard, logging during the Depression, building homes in Vancouver in the 1940s, and working on the Alcan aluminum smelter in Kitimat, the BC Provincial Police and the RCMP in Prince Rupert in the 1950s. He also helped build the Haney Correctional Institute, became a guard and then maintenance foreman. Luke was a pioneer in BC’s fledgling helicopter logging industry, and a hotelier, operating Vancouver’s Cobalt Hotel. He and Pat moved to the Cariboo in the 1970s, and Luke returned to carpentry. His last job was as a retail clerk at the liquor store in 100 Mile House. Many of Luke’s fondest memories came from his WW II service aboard the HMCS Orkney and his subsequent association with the “Big Four” (Bill, George, Vern and Luke), but his years in Lac la Hache, Hope and Haney provided a wealth of friends and memories too. Luke will be remembered as the one who knew the answers to problems, the one who would fix things, the one who would act, the one who would try. He set a great example for his children. Although slowed by fading health, Luke still looked forward to a weekly fleecing at the hands of the River Road card sharks. Please join us to celebrate Luke’s life on Sun., Sept. 7, 2003 from 2-4pm, at the Royal Canadian Legion 12101-224th St., Maple Ridge, B.C.

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